A. Consider North’s holding. Partner has denied four cards in either major, and probably does not have four diamonds. Ergo, partner must hold four cards or more in clubs. Since you are virtually assured of at least an eight-card fit in a minor, bid two clubs.

Q. Both vulnerable, as South, you hold:

x9 6 5 2 uA K Q J 10 3 vK 6 w5

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u Pass 1x Pass

?

What do you bid now?

A. Bid two spades. To bid two hearts is one way to play there when you might have game in spades.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xA 7 uK 10 2 vA K Q 9 8 3 w9 5

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v Pass 1NT Pass

?

What do you bid now?

A. Forget about point count. You have a hand that should produce seven tricks for partner, and there is no way partner can expect such a productive dummy if you simply raise to two no trump. With all those tricks and a balanced distribution, jump to three no trump.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

x10 9 uA Q J 8 2 vA Q J 6 wK 4

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1u Pass 2v Pass

?

What action do you take?

A. With a hand worth 18 points in support of diamonds, slam is possible. However, that bypasses three no trump, which could be a safer game than five diamonds. Bid three diamonds.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xA Q J 7 6 3 uQ vK J 10 9 6 4 wVoid

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1x Pass 1NT Pass

2v Pass 3x Pass

?

What do you bid now?

A. Forget about point count and North’s initial weak response — you have a slam if partner has the right controls. Start cue-bidding with four clubs and, if partner shows a red ace, you are well on the way.

Q. East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold:

x8 uA K 9 5 4 v8 7 wK J 8 7 2

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH WEST SOUTH EAST

1w Pass 1u Pass

1x Pass ?

What do you bid now

A. If you play that a jump to three clubs is forcing, take that route. If not, you must go through the fourth-suit forcing route by bidding two diamonds, which says nothing about the suit but creates a forcing situation. When you support clubs at your next turn, the partnership will be well placed to select the best game.